World Blog by humble servant. Sandusky news. A elder senior scam going on.

 The 60-plus population Is being scammed by love

Sue Daugherty, Serving Our Seniors executive director

Dec 25, 2020 6:00 AM

SANDUSKY — The holidays provoke all types of emotions, especially for those who are aging alone.

Compounding these emotions, among the 60-plus population, is the social isolation brought on by COVID-19.

People who are experts at gaining the confidence of strangers are capitalizing on lonely and trusting retirees, then taking their money. It’s happening everywhere, including in Erie County.

Looking for love in all the wrong places

As more lonely and unsuspecting older Erie County divorcees/widows/widowers are using the internet to with hopes of finding a caring person for a mature relationship, they are losing their retirement savings and investments. 

This is not unique to Erie County — it is everywhere and is a national trend.

Those who are aging alone are meeting individuals through their computers or mobile devices. When they stumble upon “Mr. or Ms. Right,” they exchange numerous emails and texts over the course of weeks or months. The unwary Erie County older adult is convinced this new “sweetheart” may be their soulmate, and therefore, worthy of being trusted.

This never-before-seen “boyfriend/girlfriend” now asks the Erie County resident for money. The story usually goes like this:

• The long-distance sweetheart had an emergency and needs some quick cash as he/she is out of the country on business.

• Another situation: They ended up in the hospital and are in a life or death situation.

• The Erie County older adult is asked to send money.

•, Of course, there is always a pledge to pay the money back, as soon as they get home.

Another common theme is the con artist tells the new “love of his life/love of her life” that they are going to fly in so they can meet in-person. One excuse after another will take place, and so will the requests for more money.

Elder fraud is at epidemic proportions

If you are age 60 or older and flirting with the idea of meeting someone over the internet, I encourage you to watch the TV 5 video news report about Julie Erickson. She was duped out of $500,000 in a romance scam. Just Google these words, "Romance scam victim lost $500,000, shares story for the first time"

When you watch this, you will see one doesn’t have to be advanced in age or “incompetent” to become a victim. Erie County has healthy victims who are in their 60s.

It’s unfortunate that there are so many predators stalking older people to exploit a relationship in order to take the life savings of another. Just know that it is happening with regularity.

Because the culprits are doing their dirty work from another country, it is highly unlikely the older victim will ever recoup their money.

Help is here

If you think you may have been scammed and don’t know what to do, call Serving Our Seniors at 419-624-1856 for moral support and direction. Although you are not likely to get your money back, you are a victim of a crime, and it needs to be reported. We would like to help you through these steps.